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Commitment to an Ageless Brain

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Mar 4, 2021
  • 2 min read


When we throw ourselves into a project and know every detail about it, do we expect others to be just as excited over the outcomes? In my case, yes, I do! As confusing as this has been for me, it has pushed me to tailor my message to fit their needs. On some level we all understand what we need to do to live a healthy lifestyle. But what is asked of each of us as we begin to change our brains – is a full commitment. This is hard work. Our brain changes when we are consistently and repetitively working with each of the pieces of a brain healthy lifestyle. Take physical exercise for instance. This is one of the easier practices to do and feel results. We have to incorporate physical activity into our lives. It is important to get creative with our activities. Maybe we bump physical exercise up a notch and take up dancing. Now we have the aerobic exercise we need to make things happen, but we are also learning new dance steps or routines. This challenges our brain, and we create new neurons, (Neurogenesis), and new pathways (Neuroplasticity).


These two parts of the brain healthy lifestyle increases brain volume and builds cognitive reserve (extra cells and connections that keep the brain functioning even in the onslaught of a neurodegenerative disease). All that is great, but we need to give the brain the nutrients it needs to function on a high level. Well now we are talking about a brain healthy diet and diet strikes fear in the hearts of many of us. We are just now seeing what brain healthy food can look like as nutritionists are gaining recognition and acceptance over their healthy recipes.


Okay, now we are physically active, learning new things and challenging our brains, eating the right foods but there is still more to do. We need to be with other people. Connecting with others increases our cognition. We can’t be shy about meeting other people. Sharing an interest in brain health definitely creates common ground.


We aren’t done yet! We need to get a good night’s sleep – every night. Our brain gets a good cleaning and consolidates memory while we sleep. This doesn’t sound like a hard thing to do. But unfortunately, for many people it is. They need to learn new sleep habits. Anytime you are overlaying a new habit it takes time and patience – even if it’s about sleeping.


Finally, we have to reduce stress. Stress is probably the hardest part of a brain healthy lifestyle to change. We have to learn new skills to live a calm lifestyle. Again, that doesn’t seem like it would be so hard, but we live in a 24/7 stressful environment. Instead of getting out of this stress, we have to learn new skills to control it.


It takes a commitment to living a brain healthy lifestyle to create the brain we need for longevity. We can change our brain!

 
 
 

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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